Updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing conventional excisional haemorrhoidectomy with LigaSure for haemorrhoids.

Background: To compare the surgical outcome of haemorrhoidectomy performed using LigaSure bipolar diathermy with conventional haemorrhoidectomy.

Methods: Only randomized and alternate allocated studies were included from the major electronic databases using the search terms "ligasure" and "haemorrhoids". Duration of operation, blood loss during operation, postoperative pain score, wound healing, in-hospital stay, time to return to normal activities and complications were assessed.

Immunological aspects of recombinant adeno-associated virus delivery to the mammalian brain.

Recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAV) are highly efficient vectors for gene delivery into the central nervous system (CNS). However, host inflammatory and immune responses may play a critical role in limiting the use of rAAV vectors for gene therapy and functional genomic studies in vivo. Here, we evaluated the effect of repeated injections of five rAAV vectors expressing different genetic sequences (coding or noncoding) in a range of combinations into the rat brain.

Recombinant adeno-associated virus serotypes 2- and 5-mediated gene transfer in the mammalian brain: quantitative analysis of heparin co-infusion.

Recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) are among the most promising vectors for gene delivery into the CNS. However, a major hurdle for gene transfer to the mammalian brain is to achieve high transduction levels in target cells beyond the immediate injection site. Therefore, building upon the optimization of injection parameters on which we have recently reported, it is important to define additional methods to increase the volume of distribution.

Quantitative comparison of expression with adeno-associated virus (AAV-2) brain-specific gene cassettes.

This study compared a range of mammalian CNS expression cassettes in recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV-2) vectors using strong endogenous promoter sequences, with or without a strong post-regulatory element and polyadenylation signal. Changes in these elements led to transgene expression varying by over three orders of magnitude. In experiments conducted in primary cell culture and in >100 stereotactically injected rats, we observed highly efficient and stable (>15 months) gene expression in neurons and limited expression in glia; the highest expression occurred with endogenous, nonviral promoters such as neuron-specific enolase and beta-actin.

Combined injection of rAAV with mannitol enhances gene expression in the rat brain.

Recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAV) are highly efficient vectors for gene transfer into the central nervous system (CNS). However, a major hurdle for gene delivery to the mammalian brain is to achieve high-level transduction in target cells beyond the immediate injection site. Therefore, in addition to improvements in expression cassettes and viral titers, optimal injection parameters need to be defined.